Xplorer
Pioneering Technology
and Learning Science
About Us
Xplorer Lab is a CMU METALS Capstone project in collaboration with NWEA and HMH. We aim to pioneer a new reality in middle school science labs by enhancing learning and equity through Extended Reality (XR) technology.
Our Mission
Viability. As one of the fastest-growing technologies today, XR has quickly made its way to the educational landscape. However, it is crucial to ensure that XR technologies are not merely a gimmick but an effective way to enhance student learning. One of our primary objectives is to determine the viability of implementing XR technology in middle school education.
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Equity. Many students from under-resourced schools have trouble accessing science labs due to a lack of equipment and qualified instructors. We aspire to break down the barriers to accessing knowledge and allow students to engage in lab activities through smartphones.
Our Team
Xiaolin Ni
Research Lead
BS in Psychology with concentration in Neuroscience, Minor in Mathematics at University of Massachusetts Amherst
Our Advisors
Dr. Bruce McLaren
Dr. Bruce M. McLaren is an Associate Research Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, current Secretary and Treasurer and past President of the International Artificial Intelligence in Education Society (2017-2019). He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Intelligent Systems from the University of Pittsburgh, an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and a B.S. in Computer Science (cum laude) from Millersville University.
Dr. Paulo Carvalho
Dr. Paulo Carvalho is a Special Faculty in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Indiana University, an M.S. in Experimental Psychology, University of Minho, and a B.A. in Psychological Science, University of Minho.
Tyree Cowell
Tyree Cowell is a recent METALS grad (class of 2022), now working at Carnegie Learning Inc. as a Learning Engineer. Prior to METALS she studied Cognitive Science, Linguistics, and Computer Science at the University of Michigan and worked for 3 years as an Artificial Intelligence Researcher. With nearly 10 years of research experience in the Education field, she is thrilled to be serving as this team's alumni capstone mentor.
Our Client
Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA)
is a non-profit organization that provides educational assessment solutions for students in K–12 schools. Their assessments measure student growth and proficiency in key subject areas, including math, reading, and science. NWEA’s tests are adaptive, meaning the questions get harder or easier depending on how the student answers. This gives a more accurate picture of what the student knows and can do.
The parent company of NWEA, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) is a research and educational services organization. NWEA will continue to provide assessment solutions for K-12 growth and proficiency as a division of HMH. The partnership between HMH and NWEA will enable educators to leverage instructional and research-based insights to drive better outcomes for students.